27

It was already past 6pm. Yibo was standing by the parking space with Zhan, who was busy on his phone. Yibo came closer and looked at him, saying,

"Baby, let me check if the smoke has cleared a bit so we can go inside."

Zhan looked up at him. Yibo turned and walked toward the sitting room. The smoke was still there, though not as heavy as before. Yibo came back to the parking space and said, "I think you'll be able to manage now. Once you're in the room, just lock the door."

Zhan got up and they both headed inside. Zhan held his breath as they entered because he hated the strange smell of whatever Min had burned in the house...it made him lightheaded. As soon as he entered his room, he locked the door and let out a deep breath.

Meanwhile, Yibo returned to the sitting room, went into the bathroom, came back out, and stepped outside for a moment. When he returned, Min was lying down in the bedroom. He stood there looking at her and said, "I don't mean to hurt you, Min, it's just that…"

As if she was waiting for an excuse, she burst into tears, pouting dramatically,

"Honestly, Yibo, I'm already exhausted. How can I not burn incense in my own house to make myself feel good? So now, I should leave the house smelling awful just because of some random reason?"

Yibo sighed, "No one's saying you can't burn incense, Min. I'm only saying do it during the day when no one's around. You know Baby has asthma, and honestly, the heavy smoke bothers me too. But please, just be considerate."

She scowled and crossed her arms,

"And another thing… I can't live in this house with a full-grown man who doesn't help me with anything. I do the dishes, clean the kitchen, sweep the house, scrub the bathroom, cook… It's too much. I'm not anyone's maid. I'm not even feeling well myself....my back always hurts…"

Yibo watched her quietly and asked,

"When exactly did you cook? If I recall, today's the first time you've cooked."

She shot him a look, "Well, I cooked today. That's enough reason for me to talk."

He rubbed his head, "Okay, but as for swapping, Baby can't do that because of his condition. But he can help you with the kitchen and maybe cleaning dishes… even cooking if you want, I can do some chores too if I'm around, no one forced you to do it anyway, we can hire someone to do all that, but... No you said you don't want to hire anyone."

Min immediately added, "Then he'll wash all the bathrooms too."

Yibo didn't argue with her anymore. Min stood up, "Come, let me serve you food. I cooked your favorite."

"Let me shower first," he replied, getting up and heading to the bathroom. She followed him inside.

They both came back to the sitting room together, Min practically glued to his side. She had changed into sleepwear. At that moment, Zhan came out of the kitchen holding a cup of tea. Yibo quickly tried to push Min off him, but she clung even tighter, as if they were about to melt into one.

Zhan didn't spare them another glance. He simply walked back to his room.

Yibo, visibly uncomfortable, scolded,

"C'mon Min, what are you doing? Zhan is right there!"

Min released him at last, "No one will stop me from enjoying my honeymoon phase the way I like. That 'boy'?" She scoffed and planted a kiss on Yibo's cheek,

"Let me bring your food, Dear."

Yibo sat on the couch, rubbing his head, eyes drifting toward Zhan's room. A few moments later, Min returned with the food, placing the dishes on the table and serving everything on one plate.

After plating the food, he asked,

"Did Baby serve himself the food?"

Min quickly answered, "Yes, I saw him take some," which was a lie.

Yibo sat down on the carpet, picked up his chopsticks, and started eating. Min did the same. The food wasn't terrible, but to Yibo, it could never compare to Zhan's cooking. He hadn't found food anywhere...home or restaurant...that satisfied him like Zhan's meals did. Because of that, Min's food tasted bland to him, no matter how much effort she put in.

Min asked, "How's the food, dear?"

Yibo smiled weakly, "It's good. Delicious. I didn't know you were such a good cook."

She blushed, "Anything for my hubby."

He said hoping to convince her to let Zhan do the cooking, "But now I understand why you said all the housework is too much for you. You cooked all this and cleaned the house too?"

She pouted, "Of course, dear. I did everything myself. I have no help."

Yibo sighed, "You know what? Since Baby can't sweep, why don't you let him cook? I've noticed he's actually quite good at it. You don't have to overwork yourself like this…"

Min shook her head firmly, "No, I'll keep cooking for my husband. That's how I was raised. Why should I let someone else cook for my husband and enjoy my place in this home?"

Yibo didn't argue further and quietly kept eating. But after barely six bites, he put down his chopsticks, "You know I don't like eating much at night. I prefer tea."

Min frowned, "Baby, is it that the food doesn't taste good?"

Yibo's eyes widened in mock disbelief,

"This food? Even top restaurants don't make it this good, wife. Some women can't even cook noodles properly these days."

She still pouted, "But you didn't eat much."

Rubbing his stomach, he replied,

"I'm full. You know it's unhealthy to overeat at night."

She sulked, playing with her chopsticks, but Yibo quickly changed the subject to distract her. Eventually, he leaned back on the couch, half-listening as she kept talking. His mind, however, was completely on Zhan.

He didn't want any fight with Min, that kept him from going to Zhan's room.

Meanwhile, Min kept chattering away, and he just stared at her, not really processing her words.

Suddenly, his phone rang. He picked it up...it was Hai Kuan calling.

After listening to Hai Kuan, he asked,

"Why aren't you coming inside?"

Hai Kuan's voice came through the speaker, "I'm in a hurry. He should just come out and get it. No need for me to come in."

Yibo didn't say anything else as he ended the call. He stood up, and Min watched him as he headed toward Zhan's room. She pouted slightly and clicked her tongue under her breath.

When Yibo entered the room, he found Zhan sitting in front of the mirror, wrapped in a towel, applying his lotion. Clearly, he had just finished showering.

The moment their eyes met, Zhan quickly lowered his gaze, unable to look up. He didn't even know why he felt so shy today....unlike before when being seen by Yibo in just a towel never bothered him.

Even Yibo looked slightly uncomfortable now, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Hai Kuan ge is outside waiting for you. He brought something for you," Yibo said before turning around and leaving the room.

Zhan wondered what Hai Kuan could possibly be bringing him at this hour. But he stood up, put on his sleepwear, threw a jacket over it, and headed to the sitting room.

The moment he stepped out, Yibo, who was sitting alone in the sitting room, stared at him intently, not blinking. As Zhan crossed the room, Yibo said flatly,

"Collect it and come straight back inside. Don't stay more than two minutes."

"Okay," Zhan replied simply, then left the house.

When he reached Hai Kuan's car, the front seat door opened. Hai Kuan looked at him and Zhan greeted, "Gege, how are you?"

"Fine," Hai Kuan replied. Seeing that Zhan wasn't getting into the car, Hai Kuan added, "Should I give you the item out here, or do you want me to come down and hand it over?"

Zhan didn't say anything. He simply got into the car and shut the door. Hai Kuan turned slightly to face him, reached into the back seat, and handed him a food warmer inside a plastic bag.

"Mama asked me to bring this to you," Hai Kuan said.

Zhan's eyes widened slightly in surprise as he smiled, "Thank you so much… Gege, are you going to Ma-Liyana's place now?"

Hai Kuan turned to look at him, frowning immediately, "Since when do I joke around with you like that?"

Zhan smiled faintly, "Well, you look cute, that's why I asked."

Hai Kuan fell silent, watching him for a moment. Zhan chuckled and added,

"If that's where you're going, I'll come with you."

Suddenly remembering something, Zhan's eyes widened slightly, "Ah, Yibo-ge said i shouldn't stay out for more than two minutes."

Hai Kuan gave him a look, "Did he assign you to any chores inside?"

Zhan simply smiled without responding. Hai Kuan went back to scrolling through his phone while Zhan sat quietly, watching him. After a few minutes, Hai Kuan asked,

"So, what do you need?"

"Like what?" Zhan replied.

"Don't you need anything?"

"Oh, well… my cream is almost finished."

"That's all?"

Zhan paused, thinking, then nodded,

"Yeah, that's all."

Hai Kuan didn't say anything else as he kept using his phone. A few minutes later, without looking up, he asked,

"When are your exams?"

"In three weeks," Zhan answered.

Hai Kuan finally looked up and put his phone down, "Are you comfortable staying at the house?"

Zhan stayed quiet.

"You sure?" Hai Kuan pressed.

Zhan lowered his head,

"Yeah."

Hai Kuan wasn't convinced, "Tell me the truth. Are you comfortable?"

"Well, I'm hardly ever home. I spend most of my time at school," Zhan admitted.

"If anything's bothering you, let me know," Hai Kuan offered.

Zhan nodded. Hai Kuan reached to the back seat again, handing him a plastic bag. Even without looking, Zhan could tell it was shawarma.

"Thanks," Zhan said with a soft smile.

Hai Kuan handed over an ATM card,

"If you need anything, you can withdraw from this. I'll send you the PIN via text."

Zhan took the card, still looking at him,

"Thank you."

"You can go now," Hai Kuan said, Zhan open the door and stepping out.

"Goodnight, Gege," Zhan replied. Hai Kuan nodded and drove off.

As Zhan entered the compound, he spotted Yibo standing on the balcony, watching the gate. Zhan walked slowly, Yibo eyes following Zhan all the way into the sitting room and back to his room.

Zhan took off his jacket, sat down, and opened the food warmer from Lan Yi. The aroma of spicy chicken pepper soup filled the room instantly. He stood, quietly opened his door, and stepped out.

Yibo was alone in the sitting room, seated. Zhan walked to the kitchen without even looking at him. Yibo's eyes followed him, watching him grab a plate and spoon. Zhan returned to his room, Yibo still watching.

Zhan dished out half of the pepper soup onto a plate and walked back to the sitting room, offering it to Yibo.

"Did Hai Kuan ge buy this for you?" Yibo asked.

"No, Mama gave it to him to bring to me," Zhan replied.

"Is this for me and Min?" Yibo questioned.

Without saying a word, Zhan took the plate back and returned to his room, shutting the door behind him. Yibo stared in confusion for a moment before standing and following him.

As Zhan was transferring the rest of the soup from the warmer, Yibo entered. Zhan glanced at him once and continued what he was doing. Yibo rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, "Okay… I'm sorry. I was just asking, Baby. I didn't know."

Zhan didn't even look at him,

"It was meant for me alone. It's only because I'm nice that I shared with you."

"Oh… okay then," Yibo replied, turning to leave.

Zhan looked up, "But if you're eating here, in my room, I can give you some."

Yibo turned back, "Alright."

Zhan served him four pieces of meat onto a plate and handed it over. Yibo accepted it, looking at him, "Should I eat in the sitting room?"

Zhan hesitated for a second, then turned away, "Okay."

"Thanks, Baby. Goodnight," Yibo added before leaving the room.

Zhan took his portion and ate quietly. He didn't eat much of the meat, instead finishing the shawarma Hai Kuan had brought. Afterward, he went to the bathroom, rinsed his mouth, and lay down.

Just then, Dr. Kexing's name appeared on his phone screen. Zhan stared at the call for a few seconds before answering silently, bringing the phone to his ear.

Dr. Kexing asked, "Did I offend you, Dear?"

Zhan replied, "Offend me? How?"

There was silence from both sides for a moment. Then Dr. Kexing said softly,

"I'm sorry… If I unknowingly upset you. Maybe… maybe I should have gotten the food for you myself. I'm sorry, Zhan."

Instantly, Zhan's chest loosened, the tension draining from his body.

"I only called to apologise," Dr. Kexing added. "Sleep well, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Zhan couldn't say anything before Dr. Kexing ended the call. Slowly, he closed his eyes, placed the phone on the bedside drawer, pulled the duvet over himself, but for almost an hour, he couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned.

Eventually, he picked up his phone and dialled Dr. Kexing's number. When the call connected, Zhan forced himself to say softly, "I… I'm sorry too."

They ended up talking on the phone until almost 2 AM, and there was no sign of sleep in Zhan's eyes. That night, they had the longest conversation they'd ever had since they started dating.

Zhan realised for the first time how little he truly knew about Dr. Kexing. Tonight, he discovered many things.

Dr. Kexing shared how he lost his father and his 13-year-old sister in a car accident… how much he cherished his mother… he told stories about his group of friends and their wild student days abroad… even the story about someone his family tried to match him with.

Zhan enjoyed every bit of the conversation—sometimes feeling sympathy for him, other times frustration, sometimes he laughed, other times he was surprised.

At one point, Dr. Kexing said, "But trust me, Zhan… no matter who my friends were back then, I never had anything intimate with anyone. Not even a simple kiss with a woman… You're the only one. I gain nothing by lying to you. I've always been quite reserved. That's probably why I never really felt attracted to women. But strangely, that changed the moment I met you.

"Since meeting you, I don't even look at other people with desire. As for alcohol… well, the harsh weather in Canada pushed some of us into drinking… peer pressure too. I struggled a lot adjusting to the climate there. But ever since I returned to China, I stopped drinking carelessly, Zhan.

"Even in Canada, there were weeks I didn't touch it… only when hanging out with certain friends. Many of them still haven't stopped to this day. I don't even know what came over me that night in Wuhan when I drank so much. Maybe I was losing control… Mom never even suspected how much I used to drink."

Zhan stayed quiet, listening intently. After a while, Dr. Kexing asked, "Now tell me… how did you feel the first day we met?"

Zhan smiled faintly but couldn't bring himself to answer. Eventually, he said,

"Some other time."

"Okay," Dr. Kexing chuckled, "but there's something else I want to ask…"

"I'm listening."

"I thought you once told me Shu is from your family… or something like that?"

Zhan replied, "She is…"

"But when she came to the office this morning, you two acted like strangers… Why?"

Zhan explained, "We greeted downstairs. And besides, she came to your office, not mine."

Dr. Kexing chuckled, "Alright then. It's already late, you should sleep… I need to study."

Zhan replied softly,

"Okay."

Dr. Kexing lowered his voice, "Sleep tight, my love…"

"Thank you…" Zhan whispered before ending the call and closing his eyes.

✨✨✨

The next morning, Zhan didn't get out of bed until almost 8 AM. He wasn't going to school today...Dr. Kexing had already informed him he wouldn't be going either. It was Friday.

When he finally got up around 8:30, he saw multiple missed calls from Lan Yi dating back to 5 AM. He called her back, and they spoke for nearly 15 minutes before saying goodbye.

Zhan got out of bed and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and shower. After getting ready, around 9:50, there was a knock on his door. He stood up and opened it slowly, seeing Yibo standing there, a warm smile on his face.

"Good morning, Baby," Yibo greeted.

"Good morning, Gege," Zhan replied.

"How was your night?"

"Good."

"Not going to school today?"

"No."

"Alright, come and have breakfast."

Yibo turned and walked back to the living room. Zhan followed him at a slower pace.

In the living room, Min was already seated, preparing breakfast for Yibo. She was stirring tea and saying, "Dear, I made you special tea today. I don't think you've ever tasted anything like this before."

Yibo sat down on the couch, "Really?"

Min chuckled, "Just have a sip and you'll know…"

As if on cue, Min lifted her head and saw Zhan entering the living room. Immediately, her expression darkened.

Yibo, ignoring her reaction, asked, "Where did you learn to make this tea?"

Min didn't answer. She just continued stirring sugar cubes into the tea. Yibo turned to Zhan, "Come, sit down, Baby."

Zhan sat cautiously on the edge of the couch, glancing at Min, "Good morning."

Min barely responded, her face stiff and unwelcoming.

Yibo got off the couch, sat on the carpet, grabbed a plate, and served Zhan breakfast with eggs and poured him a steaming cup of tea.

"So, no lectures today, or you're just not going to school?" Yibo asked.

"I'm just not going," Zhan replied.

"Alright, rest at home then. Now eat your breakfast."

Min stood up abruptly and stormed off to the bedroom, her mood visibly sour.

Zhan shifted closer and sat on the carpet. Yibo placed his breakfast in front of him and prepared his own tea using what Min had left behind. Once finished, he stood up, "Let me get my phone."

He left the living room, following Min to the bedroom.

Zhan pouted and stood up, carrying his breakfast to his room. He set it down, grabbed the leftover chicken pepper soup from last night, and went to the kitchen to warm it up.

As Yibo entered the bedroom, he quietly closed the door behind him and looked at Min with a calm voice, "Why did you get so worked up, Min?"

With an angry scowl, she snapped, "Worked up? How can I not be? How can I wake up early, struggle to make breakfast, only for you to serve it to that boy who's been sleeping since last night? Did I tell you I made breakfast for three people? It was just for me and you! Let me be clear.... if this isn't pure disrespect, what is it? You've spoiled him so much that now he looks down on me as he pleases. Why couldn't he wake up and make his own breakfast? Why do I have to do everything and you still serve him food?

Tell me, Yibo… who does that?"

Yibo replied, "But yesterday, when I suggested otherwise, you insisted you preferred to cook by yourself."

Raising her voice, she shouted, "Did I say I was cooking for him too? What is he, handicapped? Can't he get up and make his own food? Yibo, I'm done with this nonsense. From today, I won't tolerate it anymore, whatever happens, happens."

Yibo frowned, his voice firm, "Stop raising your voice at me, Min. I've been patient all these days, but you're trying to push me to the wall."

She jumped to her feet, fuming, "I'll push you outside the wall if I have to! I've had enough! No woman would tolerate what I'm going through. If we drop all pretence, who in their right mind would get up at dawn, cook breakfast while the boy sleeps, then have to struggle and make food for you both? And you serve him the largest portion of the eggs? Did he fry them himself?"

Calmly, Yibo said, "Fine, I won't eat. You can have the rest, it's not much anyway. I'll grab something on the way to the office. And you know what? Your tantrums stop with me, Min. But the day you try this nonsense with Baby, we'll really see what happens. You can keep disrespecting me, I'll swallow it and move on. But don't you dare bring that attitude to my Baby brother."

With that, he grabbed his car keys and walked out, leaving Min staring after him, speechless.

Just as Zhan stepped out of the kitchen with his warmed chicken pepper soup, he saw Yibo in the living room.

"Gege, are you going to work?" Zhan asked.

"Yeah. Do you need anything?"

Zhan stayed quiet, just watching him.

"Or… are you going to the hospital?" Yibo asked.

Zhan nodded.

"Alright, I'll wait for you. Go have your breakfast first," Yibo said.

"Okay," Zhan replied and went back to his room, while Yibo waited in the living room.

Meanwhile, Min was crying bitterly in the bedroom, her heart filled with frustration. For a brief moment, she wished she had a knife to stab Zhan and be done with him. All the patience, the looking the other way like her friend advised.... it was all a waste. If it hadn't been for her friend's warnings to stay calm, she would've physically attacked Zhan in this house long ago. But she was told to take it slow.

Now, the disrespect wasn't hidden anymore....it was right in her face.

The sound of Yibo's car driving off snapped her out of her thoughts. She rushed to the living room, checked the compound, confirming that Yibo had indeed left. She remembered hearing Yibo say Zhan wouldn't be going to school today.

She quickly returned inside, marched straight to Zhan's bedroom door and tried to twist the knob, but it was locked. Furious, she began cursing and shaking the door violently, yelling, "Useless, worthless stray! Open this door today and see what happens! I swear, not you or anyone else will stay in this house. I've run out of patience. Today, I'll change your face so badly, no one will recognise you!"

She kept rattling the door, hurling insults, assuming Zhan was inside. Like a madwoman, she ran outside, around to his bedroom window, banging on the glass,

"Come out and face me! Let's finish this today!"

After all her ranting, she returned inside, only then noticing Zhan's shoes weren't by the door. She rushed to the security guard, "Did only Yibo leave, or did the younger one go too?"

The guard replied, "They both left, madam."

Defeated, she returned inside, collapsing in the living room, sobbing uncontrollably. Her friend had completely deceived her.... the plan was ruined. Clearly by now, Zhan had already been moved elsewhere. If she had acted on her own, none of this would've happened. Now, there was nothing she could do.

She went to her room, picked up her phone and tried to call her friend, but the line was off.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, crying in frustration and bitterness, her mind raced. Should she follow them to the hospital? Or maybe everything should happen right here at home?

She wiped her tears, lost in conflicting thoughts. She had never felt such deep anger and sadness. Suddenly, her phone rang. Thinking it was her friend, she quickly grabbed it, only to see Zully's name on the screen.

Min didn't trust Zully, just like she didn't trust Shu. She never shared her secrets with them.

She answered the call, pressing the phone to her ear.

Zully's voice came through, "What's going on with you, Min? Ever since you got married, you've abandoned us like we don't exist!"

Min let out a shaky breath, "It's not like that, Zully… I'm just going through things you wouldn't understand. And I haven't abandoned anyone. Sometimes I turn off my phone to get some peace."

"Unbelievable," Zully scoffed. "What's happening, Min? Anyway, I was planning to visit your place today. That's why I tried your number."

Min hesitated before asking, "Who are you coming with?"

"Just me," Zully replied. "I'm already dressed and on my way."

Min said, "Alright, I'll tell the security to let you in."

"Okay, I'm on my way," Zully said.

Min ended the call and walked to the security post, "I'm expecting a visitor. When she arrives, open the gate for her."

"Alright, madam," the guard replied.

Min returned to the house. Around 11:45, she sat in the living room, unable to even drink water. The breakfast dishes were still scattered across the room.... she hadn't touched them.

Then came a knock at the door. She stood up, glanced at the clock, then walked over to open it.

The sight at the door nearly made her stomach sink... both Shu and Zully stood there, waiting.

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛